In just the past week, I have announced the appointments of Dan Gunderson as Upstate Chair of the Empire State Development Corporation and Manny Rivera as Deputy Secretary of Education, two supremely qualified individuals who will bring to their offices the passion and vigor New York State so desperately needs.

 Dan comes to us from Pennsylvania, where he earned national acclaim for spearheading innovative public-private partnerships that revitalized Pennsylvania's economy. Manny has served as Rochester's Superintendent of Schools since 2002 --  named New York's Superintendent of the Year in 2005, and earning the title National Superintendent of the Year in 2006. These are just two of the many outstanding individuals who have joined the administration, and we are continuing to conduct national searches for experienced leaders with the expertise our state needs.

On January 1, I exercised my power as governor to institute strict and fundamental change within the executive branch. Now, interviewers are prohibited from asking a job applicant's party affiliation. Neither the lieutenant governor nor I will accept campaign contributions from our employees. Government meetings will be broadcast on the internet, and all New Yorkers will be able to witness government decision-making via these webcasts.

I outlined a broad agenda in my State of the State address, promoting "One New York," a state in which all New Yorkers are afforded the same opportunities. We must guarantee access to quality, affordable health insurance for the 500,000 uninsured children in our state.

We need more accountability in our schools, and we must reduce class size, reward our outstanding teachers, and nurture our children in their most critical developmental period by providing universal pre-K. We must overhaul our campaign finance regulations, radically reducing contribution limits and closing the loopholes that allow a select few to wield influence in Albany -- with the ultimate goal of full public financing.

And today I announced a budget that will deliver on the pledges I made in the State of the State, without raising taxes. This budget will reduce the inefficient and irresponsible spending that has been a hallmark of New York's economic decline. This will not make everyone happy, nor will these changes be easy. But I am willing to fight these difficult battles against the entrenched special interests to do what is right and responsible for New York State.

To succeed, I will need the help of a legislature open to reform. In 2006, we helped elect Andrea Stewart-Cousins to a Senate seat in Westchester County. Now, we have the opportunity to send another reform-minded legislator to Albany from Long Island.

On February 6, a special election will be held in Nassau County, an election that has implications for every New Yorker. If Democrat Craig Johnson wins, the Republican majority will slip to a mere two seats, a slim margin that will afford opportunity for more progressive legislation and open the door for a Democratic majority in the State Senate in 2009. I enthusiastically support Craig's candidacy, and I urge you to do what you can to help him win. You can learn more about Craig and get involved with his campaign by visiting his website at www.craigjohnsonforsenate.com.

This is the first of a series of periodic e-mail updates I will be sending to you, to continue the dialogue we began while I was on the campaign trail -- and to occasionally ask for your support, input, and help. In the coming months, we will re-launch our website, with features that will allow you to interact with each other -- and with me -- to share your ideas for New York State. In the meantime, please feel free to communicate with my political team by e-mailing info@spitzer2010.org.

I look forward to continuing our dialogue.

With best regards,